What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Worried about DS. He is 5 weeks tomorrow and still losing weight. He was born at 8lb 12oz and is currently at 7lb 8oz. Last week he had gained 3.5oz but this week he was the same (though I SWEAR he weighed more last week [because he was then just 1 pound less than birthweight], the dr said his weight stayed the same).

2 weeks ago the ped had us supplement with 2oz of formula 2 times a day. This week it is upped to 4 bottles a day of still 2 oz. But we sometimes give him 3 oz because he is always hungry. He nurses for an hour at a time and is still hungry. He can gulp down 3 oz of formula and still be hungry. He usually eats every 2 hours, though he is now awake so long that by the time he gets ti sleep it can be almost feeding time again so I will let him sleep a bit longer.

Today I have been trying the more on demand feeding, and it is just horrible. He'll eat for 10 mins, fall asleep, I'll try to put him down to sleep and he'll start screaming and rooting. Then the process will repeat. I am letting him sleep curled on me sometimes but I have to do things like eat and pee lol it's been 5 hours of this... He is finally down at least. Next time he is getting a bottle so hopefully that will help him.

Anyway, I am really getting concerned over here. And of course yesterday I started googling and getting upset. Do you think he has failure to thrive? The dr seems so lax about it. DS also has pooping issues so hopefully these are related but again the dr is so lax about that - but today DS has been trying to go so much that I think that is part of why he is being different than usual. Otherwise, he is perfectly healthy and happy.

IDK I'm just worried and feel like i am failing him. I feel like i am doing so much but its not enough, and i know there could be more I could do but i can only do so much without going insane. I'm trying but my poor baby is struggling

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

I don't really know, but are you feeling a let down every time you BF? Do you hear him gulping/swallowing?

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Is he colicky???

Failure to thrive is usually associated with not touching a baby. Leaving them on their own all day. Babies need interaction to develop normally.

I am sure you are holding your baby. Can you try a sling type carrier to hold your baby as much as possible for skin to skin contact?

DS was VERY colicky. I did massage on him for the gas. I would hold him 9am to 9pm non stop (I thought I would go nuts and my arms would fall off) from the time he was 2.5 weeks to 8 weeks old. BFing every hour.

I would insist on a more concrete answer from your PED

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Instead of formula can you pump and use bottles so you can best track how many ounces he's taking in each day?

They also make a high calorie powder that can be added to bottles, maybe ask ped about it

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

sounds like he is just plain hungry you should pump like a PP said or feed formula so he gains the weight he needs. he should not be losing weight now @ 5 weeks

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

I'd contact a lactation consultant to make sure he has a good latch and he is getting enough milk. You can weigh him before and after a feeding to tell how much he his getting, but you need a baby scale to do that.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

My DS was diagnosed with failure to thrive because of poor weight gain, but he was much older when he stopped gaining.

I would call a LC to make sure he is getting milk when he sucks and to weigh him before and after a feeding. She can also help you come up with a feeding/pumping schedule. Sometimes doctors are not that knowledgeable about BF and don't always give the best advice.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for another long post.

I don't feel the let down but ds does get the milk. my breasts go soft and I can express milk. I just don't think it is enough, sometimes it seems like he drains me dry. i only hear him gulping and swallowing when we do the side by side position. I can see him gulping and I think swallowing usually.

his weight is at the 6th percentile for his age. That is why I asked about the failure to thrive, I was reading about the lower third or something. It was confusing but it seemed like he fell into it. His height and head circumference are fine. Of course I hold him and care for him. he's not neglected! During his last growth spurt (before we used formula) he was in my arms so much, he'd feed for an hour and a half at a time. It was insane. not looking forward to his 6 week one lol

He isn't colicky. He does get fussy when he's having his poop issues and in the evening but he can be consoled and isn't screaming or anything. Just some crying and restlessness. I have tried a few carriers but he is underneath the weight limit (8 pounds) and he has hated them. He jsut gets swallowed up in them. He does have really bad gas, I think that is part of the fussiness problem too. I do what i can to help relieve him of that.

I have tried pumping but the most I have ever gotten was 1 oz out of both breasts combined. Usually it is about 1/2 oz. Way too disheartening. Plus it is uncomfortable and semi-painful so I gave up. I know i should call a lc but I just feel dumb doing it so late. Plus at the hospital they said he had such a great latch that I feel stupid having them check it. Not that they would remember or anything lol idk i think i am scared at what they will tell me. I already feel bad enough that it is my fault he's not gaining, I don't need a professional to tell me that it definitely is.

His wet diapers are fine. He doesn't really poop but when he goes they are the way they should be, mustardy and seedy when i was ebf and darker now that we've added formula. He actually pooped 2 days in a row with no intervention from us so hopefully that is helping. No vomiting, just normal spit up. ped says he is healthy otherwise. So idk, i'm just worried.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

I have no experience with this but I wanted to and say I am sure you are doing the best you can for your LO. Also, I think you are in the Huntington area? maybe try going to the breastfeeding support group they have through the hospital? I hear it is very supportive, welcoming and helpful! I think the LC from Huntington Hospital runs the group so it might be easy to see her there rather than to try to reach her at the hospital.

Message edited 5/11/2011 2:05:16 PM.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

I dont think you are producing enough breast milk. I pumped for 3 weeks and minimum I would get 4 oz out of each side. Sometimes BF isnt for everyone. Maybe talk to a LC and if anything, go all formula. Its not the end of the world if you cant bf, as long as dc is gaining and getting nutrients thats all that matters.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

My DD was diagnosed with that by 4 weeks old. We had to supplement with formula. Seems so similar to your story that your DC still seems hungry after eating. honestly, we made between 4-6 oz bottles of formula and let DD eat until she was full. While yes I wanted to BF, i also wanted a healthy baby and after speaking with the LC and the ped, i came to the realization that i just don't produce enough milk to feed my DD. So i did continue to BF and supplement with formula till she was between 4-5 months old when i went back to work and she went completly on formula.

By 2 weeks of DD being given formula on a consistent basis she started "thriving" again and finally gained weight.

FM me if you have any questions.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

You don't have to feel a letdown, you also may not pump well. Some people do not respond to pumping. Those two situations individually would not concern me, but combined with the way you DS is acting hungry and not gaining weight you need to go to a LC.

Please don't feel stupid for contacting one. They will be able to let you know how much the baby is getting while eating. There are also things you can do to build your supply. If you want to continue to BF then contacting a LC is your best bet.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

I just had my 2nd child and breastfed my dd and now my ds. I would think that if you're only pumping 1/2 oz. that you're not producing enough. Sometimes people don't respond well to the pump but the way your dc is losing weight, I would think it's safe to say that's the case. I would contact a LC or start more with the formula. I'm all for breastfeeding but you want a healthy baby. Good luck and keep us posted!

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

DS was failure to thrive but he had a heart condition. At 2 months of age and a heart surgery, he weighed about as much as he did when he was born. he would not drink milk. It was an extremely stressful time for us. Our pediatrician was so concerned that she sent a ped nurse to our home daily to make sure DS was feeding.

I hated that term, "failure to thrive".

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Failure to Thrive does not just mean a baby isn't being touched. It's a term given to a child that isn't gaining weight without medical help. My child is diagnosed with this because he has a swallowing disorder that doesn't allow him to eat properly. You can FM if you have any questions.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

from a ped. dietitian

FTT is just that...the baby does not gain wt, length, etc. It sounds like there are some feeding concerns/issues going on.

I would either get a scale (so you can weigh baby after feed to see oz gained), contact LC. There can be many reasons why baby has poor wt gain and it may not always be due to your milk.

I hate to suggest it, but you can try to go 24h with pumping every 2 hours and supplementing with BM & formula and see how he does. Babies do eat more from bottle than on breast, fyi. You won't pump as much as you can nurse, but you can get an idea.

Is he peeing/pooping?

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

TY all for the replies and TY for sharing your stories. I am crying here. I have been holding this in for so long and it feels good to get such a good response.

I will call the LC tomorrow. Yes, I am in Huntington. I have been meaning to go to the support group... I actually forgot this week. I am assuming I can bring LO. But the LC is the Hunt. Hosp. one and she was really nice when I talked to her in the hospital. idk what my problem is. But I know i have to do it to help my baby.

I have been trying to feed him more on demand the past few days. My right boob is now killing me though. IDK if he is just comfort sucking or eating or what. IDK if it helping or not. I know my supply is decreasing since I started supplementing. I use to wake up engorged in one boob but I don't anymore.

His wet diapers are fine, his poop isn't but the ped doesn't seem so concerned. his next appt is monday so we will see what happens, what the ped says. We will see.

Re: What Exactly is Failure to Thrive? (long rambling post)

If he is having wet diapers that is good. He should be pooping at least every 3 days. If you need anything feel free to message me. As long as you are nursing 8-12 times the supplementing won't mess up your supply. The engorgement stops since your body adjusts to milk production.